A HASLINGTON man will go toe-to-toe with the world’s best ‘dartists’ tomorrow after qualifying for the 2008 Blue Square UK Open, writes Chris Brereton.

Mark Jodrill, 35, is competing in the three-day event at the Reebok Stadium and says getting the opportunity to go head-to-head with players like Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor for the £35,000 first prize is a dream come true.

Mark, or ‘Jodders’ as he is known on the darts circuit, joined the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) in 2007, having played for Cheshire for more than a decade, and he has been steadily advancing up the world rankings.

His first round match is against Paul Whitworth and Mark says he is quietly confident he can make it into the competition’s later stages.

He said: “This is a really big opportunity for me and they don’t come round too often so I will just have to give it everything I have got.

“I managed to qualify for the tournament at my first attempt and beat quality players like Alan Warriner along the way so who knows how I will get on.

“My first opponent Paul is a good player but hopefully I can overcome that and just keep going. I haven’t really thought about the cash side of things although obviously winning all that prize-money would be fantastic.”

The PDC darts circuit has taken off in the past five years and he is likely to be playing in front of massive crowds at the Reebok but Mark, of Oakland Avenue, says the big audience will not put him off.

He added: “It is something you have to try and get used to. There will be plenty of nerves flowing but you just have to conquer them and get on with it.”

Anybody interested in sponsoring Mark for the upcoming Pro Tour can contact him on 07716316420.